Paul Eriksson – CEO, Tasracing
I am writing to update you on Tasracing’s lease with the Devonport Agricultural Pastoral Society (DAPS) to conduct harness and greyhound racing and trials.
Tasracing had previously agreed to vacate the Devonport Showground facility by 1 March 2022.
But following recent discussions between Tasracing, the developer and DAPS, we have reached an agreement that this date will be extended to 25 March 2022.
Importantly, this extension will allow for an orderly transition out of the site.
It means that the last harness race meeting at the showgrounds will be on Sunday 20 March 2022 while the last greyhound meeting will be on Tuesday 22 March 2022.
The interests of racing industry participants based on the northwest coast have been top of mind for Tasracing during previous and our most recent discussions. Tasracing will continue to support racing in the region and will ensure that local participants are not adversely impacted.
With this in mind, a subsidy program is currently being finalised. The subsidy will only apply to licensed trainers and drivers residing in the northwest who are participating in a transferred race meeting or trial session. Details will be announced as soon as possible.
Set out below is the relocated meeting schedule through to 31 July 2022.
While I would encourage you to review the information in detail, in summary, of the four scheduled harness meetings, all have been moved to Launceston. Of the 18 greyhound meetings, eight have been moved to Launceston and 10 to Hobart.
Timing of harness and greyhound trials will be agreed upon with the respective clubs. It is expected that harness trials will be held at Carrick and greyhound trials will continue at Hobart and Launceston.
The OzChase grading system has been updated to reflect Devonport races being held on both Launceston and Hobart tracks.
Schedule of Race Meeting Changes
Harness
- 3 April 2022 moved to Launceston
- 29 April 2022 moved to Launceston
- 22 May 2022 moved to Launceston
- 10 June 2022 moved to Launceston
Greyhound
- 29 March 2022 moved to Launceston
- 5 April 2022 moved to Hobart
- 15 April 2022 moved to Hobart
- 19 April 2022 moved to Launceston
- 26 April 2022 moved to Hobart
- 3 May 2022 moved to Hobart
- 10 May 2022 moved to Launceston
- 17 May 2022 moved to Hobart
- 24 May 2022 moved to Launceston
- 31 May 2022 moved to Launceston
- 7 June 2022 moved to Hobart
- 14 June 2022 moved to Launceston
- 21 June 2022 moved to Hobart
- 28 June 2022 moved to Launceston
- 5 July 2022 moved to Hobart
- 12 July 2022 moved to Launceston
- 19 July 2022 moved to Hobart
- 26 July 2022 moved to Hobart
All meetings post 31 July will be agreed upon through the normal programming process.
As noted earlier, specific details of the subsidy program will be finalised and announced as soon as practical.